Auto Insurance for Trucks

Auto insurance for trucks is a special area of vehicle insurance, a broad category containing both personal and commercial truck policies. Truck insurance can be somewhat of a head scratcher for many auto insurance policy holders. The type of policy we need for our trucks and the most appropriate levels of coverage may depend on a host of factors. To make sure your truck insurance policy reflects the best possible combination of protection to safeguard you and your vehicle, do the homework necessary to learn about this area of auto insurance and its specific application to you as a vehicle owner.

Truck Insurance Depends on Use

Every truck needs to be properly insured according to the rules and regulations of the state in which it is driven. This applies to all trucks from compact light duty pickups all the way up to big rigs and other large scale commercial delivery vehicles. One of the variables that can influence the type of policy an auto owner needs to carry for these vehicles is the specific vehicle type. But if we were to focus in on just one detail or characteristic of the vehicle that could best aid the decision making process, it would have to be the truck's use.

Even a small compact pickup truck needs commercial insurance in some cases. These little pickups can be privately owned and titled, and get parked at home every night and still require commercial policies. The way the trucks are used is the most important single factor that helps us determine whether they need commercial insurance, or if personal insurance policies will suffice.

Use of Trucks and Auto Insurance

Trucks can be used for an endless range of different purposes. Carpenters and other tradesmen might use them to transport tools and equipment to job sites. Larger rigs can be used to transport goods to stores, warehouses, and other locations. In general, trucks are used for what we would think of as commercial purposes: delivery of goods, merchandise, equipment, or even people. Whether someone owns just one truck or a whole fleet, and no matter if long or short distances are covered, commercial insurance is often required for these vehicles. But this is not always the case.

Some people own trucks but do not use them for work at all. These folks only drive to and from work and do not transport other people or goods to the job, and do not use their vehicles during the work day. They own these vehicles to use them for hobbies, for camping, and for many other reasons. For this group of auto owners, personal policies are sufficient. But this distinction has to be clear cut for a personal truck insurance policy to suffice for a private owner. If the vehicle is used for work purposes in any way, commercial coverage is very important to ensure that the insurer will honor the policy in the event of an accident or other claim.

How to Buy Truck Insurance

Most owners of pickups, flat beds, and big rigs have some understanding of the process of procuring auto insurance policies for their rides. Still, it is smart to review the process and go over the steps involved in the context of a larger discussion of trying to find the best deal on coverage. First and foremost, it is important to remember that we should never jump the gun and sign on with the first company that rolls up and offers a policy. Hand in hand with this statement is another one which says that we should never wait until the last minute to get a policy. Give yourself some time before the expiration of your current plan or before the purchase of a new rig to search and locate suitable protection.

Take your time and look over all of your options to make sure you end up with the best deal. Drivers should consider working with truck specialists, especially in situations where they are in business or using their vehicles for commercial purposes. This is especially true for those of us who are owner operators of rigs and are looking for a reasonable deal on quality insurance protection. Commercial specialists have deep understanding of our needs as owner operators, including the need to comply with carrier requirements from state to state (like load limits, for example). Specialists will tend to offer great response to accident scenes, which can help move claims investigations forward at a faster pace. In the middle of the night when you get into a wreck, you need to know your carrier will be there to respond so you can get back on the road sooner. Whichever way you go with your truck insurance, make sure your policy reflects coverage appropriate for your needs.